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When a website’s “About” page starts with, “Return Of Kings is a blog for heterosexual, masculine men. It’s meant for a small but vocal collection of men in America today who believe men should be masculine and women should be feminine,” it’s pretty obvious there are going to be problems with the website content.

(Note: I could only read the first sentence of this “About” page, for reading any more was going to make my head explode and start questioning what year we’re in. It’s 2013 right? And in a few weeks we’ll be in 2014? Okay, thanks for confirming).

Return of Kings is in fact a blog and it does in fact produce stereotypical and closed-minded content every now and again, taking us back years and years to a time where gender neutrality was not a thing and respect was only for the white guys in suits with dolla dolla bill$.

(Note: I respect that the dudes behind the website are upfront about their biases and don’t say anything about being inclusive or trying to engage people, of all genders, races and societies. Basically, they immediately come clean with only wanting to attract the Hugh Hefners of the world to their content. The problem is that they post to the public, so anyone and everyone can come across their articles).

On November 13, Return of Kings published this terrifying article called “5 Reasons To Date A Girl With An Eating Disorder.” In short, the article explains that girls with eating disorders are amazing partners because, well, of the following five reasons (not because a girl, or anyone else for that matter, with an eating disorder might be caring, interested in unique music, hard working and any other great qualities that we might find in the people we fall in love with):

1. Her obsession over her body will improve her overall looks 2. She costs less money 3. She’s fragile and vulnerable 4. Probably has money of her own 5. She’s better in bed

Number one, why should looks be the basis of any relationship? Why should we only want what our society deems as “beautiful?” Beauty is subjective and is not determined by the size of one’s body. Yes, we might all have types, but that doesn’t mean it’s okay to publicly shame anyone for their size or weight. Who are you to judge?

You know what Beyonce would say about this?

Number two, maybe she costs less money because she eats less, but what is a partner providing if he or she doesn’t encourage psychological, emotional and physical support for someone who has an eating disorder if they are constantly encouraging small portioned meals and mini-appetizers solely to save cash? That’s not love.

Number three, she’s fragile and vulnerable because of feelings of being imperfect, because of coping mechanisms that need reevaluating, because of misconceptions of body image and food consumption. This does not mean a girl with an eating disorder can’t find her confidence, her strength or her self-esteem again. Being that macho macho man who just strikes to protect and provide a shoulder to cry on can only go so far. You’re not being a proactive and loyal partner if you’re only providing a shoulder to cry on because you want this girl to stay with you so you can benefit from her petite figure, cheap appetite, parents’ money and/or sexual ability. Really now?

Number four, a girl with an eating disorder probably has a lot of money of her own? To do what, buy you sweet gifts and spoil you rotten for secretly degrading her in your head because of her mental disability?

For number five, I must first quote something from the article:

It’s a well-known fact that crazy girls are exceptional in the sack. A girl with an eating disorder has just the right cocktail of pent-up insecurity, neuroses, and daddy issues to ensure that your whole building knows every time you’re beating it up.

“Crazy girls,” eh? Don’t even get me started on the use of the word, “Crazy.”

This article takes any advancements in changing the negative stigma surrounding mental health and basically stomps on it. An eating disorder isn’t like a cold or a cough that goes away with time, it’s a mental illness that you can’t just catch from touching something on the subway. And, guys can develop eating disorders, too!

There is a petition on Change.org encouraging the removal of “5 Reasons To Date A Girl With An Eating Disorder,” of which I signed. If you think this article is wrong and should be removed from the Internet, sign it too. Just click here.

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Published by Leviana Coccia

A storyteller. That is how I would describe myself.
I love communicating with people using the written and spoken word as well as various multimedia. I am developing a career where I can use my journalistic, communication and project management skills daily.
Naturally, I love to write. I’m passionate about making a difference and fighting to make this world a comfortable place for everyone to live. A world without barriers, discrimination, standards of beauty, gender stereotypes, harassment, racism, disease…the list goes on and on.
I am a social media enthusiast and have extensive experience using Twitter, Facebook, blogs and LinkedIn to market brands and initiatives.
I recently completed the post-graduate Event Management program at Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (ITAL), from which I have earned an Ontario Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) in Event Management with honours. I am also a graduate of the Media Studies program at the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Applied Arts in Media Studies from the University of Guelph as well as a Diploma in Journalism from Humber College ITAL, both with distinction.
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